Policeman shoots soldier to death in Delta

A mobile policeman has shot a soldier to death in Odimodi community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State after an argument ensued between them.

Reports said the unidentified policeman was guarding an oil facility operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company.

An eyewitness said the two security men engaged each other in a fierce exchange of words at the gate of the facility before multiple gunshots a few minutes later.The incident occured on Saturday

The PUNCH quoted a source as saying that the source explained that the policeman, after killing the victim, shot continuously into the air to scare away residents before absconding with the victim’s rifle.

It was gathered that operatives of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, later sent some of its men to remove the corpse from the scene.

A community leader, who did not want to be identified, said the development had created tension among residents, adding that there was fear that the military might invade the community to search for the fleeing policeman.

The newspaper quoted him as saying: “The incident happened on Saturday at noon. The two officers – a mopol and the military officer – were members of a combined security team stationed to guard oil facilities in Odimodi community. They had a misunderstanding. After a while, we heard gunshots.

“When people got there, they discovered that the mobile policeman had killed the soldier. The policeman cocked his gun and fired at the soldier and thereafter shot to scare people away from the scene.

“He (policeman) took the soldier’s gun and ran away. As of now, he has not been apprehended. The JTF authorities have removed the corpse of the slain soldier. There is tension in the community as we speak. People are afraid that the military may invade the community.”